NHL notebook: Capitals cap series comeback with 2-1 win

Wednesday

Capitals 2, Rangers 1 -- Thanks to Sergei Fedorov and a monumental comeback, Washington is headed to the second round of the NHL playoffs for the first time in more than a decade.

Capitals 2, Rangers 1 -- Thanks to Sergei Fedorov and a monumental comeback, Washington is headed to the second round of the NHL playoffs for the first time in more than a decade.

Fedorov beat Henrik Lundqvist with 4:59 left in the third period, and the Capitals edged visiting New York in Game 7 of their first-round series last night. They are the 21st team in NHL history to win a series after trailing 3-1. It's also the franchise's first series victory since the 1997-98 season.

New York's Nik Antropov and Washington's Alexander Semin traded first-period goals. In the third, Fedorov took a pass from Matt Bradley and, with Rangers defenseman Wade Redden screening Lundqvist, sent a shot inside the far post.

The Capitals face Pittsburgh next, hosting Game 1 on Saturday.

Penguins keep coach

When Dan Bylsma took over as interim coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins in mid-February, they were barely over .500 and nearly out of the playoff race. After a remarkable turnaround, Bylsma has earned a new contract and the right to drop "interim" from his title.

Selke Trophy finalists

Pavel Datsyuk of the Detroit Red Wings joined fellow centers Mike Richards of Philadelphia and Vancouver's Ryan Kesler as finalists for the Selke Trophy, given to the NHL's top defensive forward.

Coyotes get NHL loan

The NHL has loaned an undisclosed amount of money to the Phoenix Coyotes for payroll and rent payments. The Arizona Republic online edition reported if the team fails to pay its debt, the league can take it over.

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